Florida officials plan to eradicate giant African land snails, again

[babylonsister]

Florida officials plan to eradicate giant African land snails, again
July 2, 202211:55 AM ET
Tekella Foster



Once again, Florida plans to eradicate the giant African land snail, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture calls "one of the most damaging snails in the world."

It's a "highly invasive agricultural pest" that can feed on over 500 types of plants, USDA says.

A master gardener recently spotted Achatina (Lissachatina) fulica in New Port Richey, a city in Pasco County on Florida's Gulf Coast. The state agriculture department confirmed the snail sighting on June 23.

"These snails could be devastating to Florida agriculture and natural areas as they cause extensive damage to tropical and subtropical environments," the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services says.

The species has been eradicated in Florida twice before — in 1975 and 2021. It costs millions of dollars to get rid of them.

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https://www.npr.org/2022/07/02/1109535868/florida-officials-plan-to-eradicate-giant-african-land-snails-again